Giants short on running backs, make change at linebacker

Posted by NBC Sports on December 2, 2009, 2:04 PM EDT

The Giants will try to save their season this Sunday against the Cowboys with some new players in the lineup.

The team’s top two backup running backs, Ahmad Bradshaw and D.J. Ware (formerly Danny), look unlikely to suit up. Bradshaw is coming off a “severly sprained” ankle and Ware sounds like a longshot after suffering a concussion on Thanksgiving. (UPDATE: Ware has been ruled out.)

Their likely absence puts more pressure on Brandon Jacobs and Gartrell Johnson. New York’s once-vaunted running game has mediocre numbers overall, and Jacobs is struggling through his worst season since Tiki Barber left town.

While the Giants may be forced to adopt a pass-first approach on offense, they hope their defense can plug some holes.

Middle linebacker Jonathan Goff took first-team snaps during Wednesday’s practice. Chase Blackburn received two starts in place of Antonio Pierce, but it looks like Tom Coughlin is making a change and Goff will start Sunday.

A loss against Dallas would essentially knock the Giants out of the NFC East race, and put them in a very difficult position in relation to the wild card race.

29 Responses to “Giants short on running backs, make change at linebacker”

Hap says:Dec 2, 2009 2:11 PM

And look how the D has wilted since Spagnuolo (sp?) has left.
It’s go-bye-bye time for the G’s and Coughlin’s on the hot seat again.

Krow says:Dec 2, 2009 2:14 PM

I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for Tom Coughlin to make changes. It’s not in his DNA. That’s why the Giants are THE most predictable team in the NFL.

GiantsDefenseRules says:Dec 2, 2009 2:19 PM

Let’s Go G-Men!!!!
Save your season!
(Atlanta, could you give us a little help please?)

Patrian says:Dec 2, 2009 2:20 PM

Dallas 27
New York 6

bearsrule says:Dec 2, 2009 2:20 PM

I suppose the Giant ownership thinks it’s not fair that the team has to play a playoff caliber team the week after having to go on the road on Thanksgiving.

MotherTUCKer91 says:Dec 2, 2009 2:39 PM

Brandon Jacobs is struggling because the entire offensive line is struggling. The Giants have already become a pass first offense because they have never controlled the line of scrimmage effectively enought to establish a dominate run game. I’m curious to see how Gartrell plays, but again, it depends on the o-line play.

chapnasty says:Dec 2, 2009 2:44 PM

It will be delicious to watch Romo hit Witten all day long over the middle and destroy the Giants and their playoff hopes. It will truly be a bad day for Giants fans.

birdmancometh says:Dec 2, 2009 2:55 PM

The Giants are better than the Cowboys. I believe they’ll show it this week (for the second time this season) and the Cowboys will then lose to the Charges and Saints as well making them 8-6. Before all the Cowboy fans jump down my throat…is it really that far fetched?

Jintsbowl says:Dec 2, 2009 2:57 PM

man these comments really hurt….
Any Giant fan in his/her right mind knows our season is over. Coughlin has another year before the throne starts to get a little warmer.
The Cowboys have not played so hot lately either so even with our struggles it’s no lock that we’ll lose…especially by the predicted amount above.
But if I were a gambling man, my money would be on the Cowboys.
@Bearsrule:
Every teams ownership complains about one thing or another, it’s called business. You think your temas owners are happy with the way things are going over there in Chi-town?

Levito says:Dec 2, 2009 3:01 PM

have all the Cowboys fans looked at the calendar lately?
I’m not saying the Giants are about to go on any epic run or anything, but Cowboys fans should probably just shut up and hope their team can make it through December.

chapnasty says:Dec 2, 2009 3:02 PM

@ birdman
Nope, not too far fetched at all. Except Dallas is healthy, Felix Jones will run the ball down their throats and Witten will have a career day over the middle. I say they will beat the Giants and play the Chargers til the end. But no one will beat the Saints.

MotherTUCKer91 says:Dec 2, 2009 3:04 PM

@chapnasty:
I dare someone to say that last sentence while sitting in my house watching this game.

Bob S. says:Dec 2, 2009 3:12 PM

Re: A loss against Dallas would essentially knock the Giants out of the NFC East race, and put them in a very difficult position in relation to the wild card race.
—
AND also, Tom Coughlin and his entire staff will be put into a very difficult position regarding their future careers with the Giants in 2010.

chapnasty says:Dec 2, 2009 3:15 PM

@ mother
I wonder if your boy Tuck will fall down again and blame it on Flozel again. I mean what other excuse could he come up with?

VickIsNoQB says:Dec 2, 2009 3:22 PM

@ birdmancometh
Please explain exactly how the Giants are better than Dallas? Offensively, defensively, seriously what is it?
Since you’re a philly fan, maybe you’re hoping NY wins this week, but you should actually hope Dallas gets the W in order to stick a fork in the Giants. Philly will then have a better shot next week since Tommy Coughlin will have already packed it in.
Birds at Boys week 17 for the division with the loser possibly still getting the wildcard. It would really be wild if they ended up playing each other again the following week on Wild Card weekend.

footballformula says:Dec 2, 2009 3:32 PM

TC will coach the Giants for as long as he wants. He’s been to the playoffs 4 straight years, and won a Superbowl. He’s got a franchise QB, and a team with some core talent. The G-men will be competitive for a while.

MotherTUCKer91 says:Dec 2, 2009 3:35 PM

@chapnasty:
Maybe if Justin Tuck wore his Starter gear to that game, he would have just run through the entire offensive line, just like I saw someone else do who wore Starter.

Borg30 says:Dec 2, 2009 3:51 PM

Chap said:
I wonder if your boy Tuck will fall down again and blame it on Flozel again. I mean what other excuse could he come up with?
I thought you were better this, but it seems you have come down to the same level as vox.
The replay clearly showed Fat Lazy Flozel trip up tuck and hurt his shoulder. Per the the giant beat reporters, tuck has not been the same since and might need surgery in the off-season.

birdmancometh says:Dec 2, 2009 3:54 PM

@VickIsNoQB
Sure. I happen to think that the Giants D-line will eventually begin to play like they should be. Thats all it will take for them to knock off the Cowboys. People often fall into the trap of overreacting to streaks that teams go through. Look at the Titans…
My being an Eagles fan has nothing to do with who I think will win this game. The Eagles control their own destiny in the division.

chapnasty says:Dec 2, 2009 3:55 PM

@ Tcuker
I dont know what is worse.. endorsing a product that children that may not have parents who can provide Nike or stuff like that, or being in a licking contest with your brother?

chapnasty says:Dec 2, 2009 4:02 PM

@ borgo
Obviously he tripped him and he has done it to others all season. It doesnt make sense to give in that easy though does it?

MotherTUCKer91 says:Dec 2, 2009 4:13 PM

@birdman:
As much as I’d like to agree with you, it’s not just a “funk” the Giants d-line is in. Their tackles aren’t getting the job done one bit. Robbins and Cofield both had minor knee surgeries in the offseason and add that to the fact they are getting older, they’re just not effective. No push up the middle means any capable QB will step up and pick apart the defense. Losing Alford was the worst thing to happen to the d-line.
@chapnasty:
You sound like a scorned child from Weedsport that was a mediocre middle linebacker and bottom of the barrel 3rd QB.

VickIsNoQB says:Dec 2, 2009 4:16 PM

@birdman
So the Giants are better b/c you think the Giant D-line will start playing better? Tuck hurt all year, Canty stinkin it up, Osi and Kiwanuka losing a step, now Pierce out. It’s not the same defense they had with Spags. Plus their secondary stinks.
Not to mention the offense – Eli’s foot, Jacobs playing soft, Bradshaw out, the o-line playing avg. No Plaxico – don’t care what anyone says, they miss him.
Dallas is healthy and showed they can win on the road against div opponents at the linc a month ago. Yes, they’re inconsistent, but who isn’t besides NO and Minn in the NFC?

chapnasty says:Dec 2, 2009 4:31 PM

@ tucker
It’s a depth chart, many of us were happy to be on it. I mean not all of us can watch the game on top of the flag pole being held there by our skid marked tighty whities like you sir, or maam.

jkorn1818 says:Dec 2, 2009 4:38 PM

chapnasty says:
December 2, 2009 2:44 PM
It will be delicious to watch Romo hit Witten all day long over the middle and destroy the Giants and their playoff hopes. It will truly be a bad day for Giants fans.
___________________________________
It will be delicious to watch? Between that and the word chap in your name, I’m a little concerned. If the cowboys win where will you and rupaul celebrate on Sun? If the cowboys lose where will you and Rupaul go on Sun? With your “delicious” pink tony romo jersey.

Patrian says:Dec 2, 2009 4:42 PM

Before all the Cowboy fans jump down my throat…is it really that far fetched?
—————————————–
Wake up Cowboys defense is one of best if not THE best in the league. 2nd in points allowed and if you factor in that 20-30 of those points were allowed early in the season with the offense turning the ball over IN THE RED ZONES of opposing teams, the Cowboys could easily have the fewest points allowed by a good 10-15 edge.
Big D stands for Big DEFENSE once again!

birdmancometh says:Dec 2, 2009 4:45 PM

@VickIsNoQB
I believe they are better because a pass rush kills the Cowboys. I understand the injuries and if Romo gets time he will kill the Giants DB’s, but if the line plays well Romo will turn the ball over and the Giants will win.
Hey, i’m not saying i’m right, just what I think. We’ll find out soon enough.
@TUCK
Looks like we both hope each other are right. The Giants D-line suddenly getting old would be great. I’m not buying it. I hope we can all have this discussion again after the game. Either way one of them will lose…so it’s a win as far as i’m concerned.

chapnasty says:Dec 2, 2009 4:54 PM

@ jkorn
Take a hike, we dont need idiots like you here. Obviously delicious was meant to be humerous and you are one of these nerds that tries to find little spelling mistakes to point out to make you feel better about your pathetic life.